Long, low-heat baking dehydrates the apple slices so they become wonderfully crunchy once they cool. Ancho chile powder and cayenne pepper lend moderate heat—adjust the amount to suit your taste.
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 225°F with 1 oven rack in top third of oven and 1 oven rack in bottom third of oven. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Remove core from top 1 inch and bottom 1 inch of each apple. Cut apples crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices in a single layer on prepared baking sheets.
Stir together brown sugar, honey, 1/2 teaspoon water, chile powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small microwavable bowl. Microwave at high until bubbly, about 20 seconds. Stir and brush over tops of apple slices.
Bake apple slices at 225°F 1 hour; flip apple slices, and rotate pans from top rack to bottom rack. Bake until apple slices are firm and not sticky (they should feel like dried fruit), about 1 more hour. Remove baking sheets from oven. Let cool completely on baking sheets.